Commission recommends BMW Motorrad dealership at Victor Parkway with conditions on signage and lighting

The Livonia City Planning Commission voted to recommend city council approval for Petition 202080804, submitted by Future Land Holdings LLC, to repurpose the former Dox Sports Retreat at 19265 Victor Parkway into a BMW Motorrad motorcycle dealership. The project would reuse the existing roughly 14,382-square-foot restaurant building and add a 3,590-square-foot addition; the parcel is reported on the record as approximately 3.21 acres.

Planning staff described the site as C-4 (high-rise commercial) zoning with prior rezoning history. The applicant’s plans show 7,150 square feet of showroom and 7,788 square feet of service area; under the zoning ordinance this would require 64 parking spaces. The plan retains 15 parking spaces along Victor Parkway and shows an additional 193 spaces in the existing lot behind the building, which staff said satisfies the ordinance requirement. Landscaping and perimeter greenbelts are proposed; staff noted that signage in excess of the sign ordinance would require a variance from the zoning board of appeals.

Several commissioners pressed the petitioner on the proposed freestanding vertical BMW sign, which was described on the record as 53 feet tall. Commissioner Jones and others questioned whether that tower element is a structural canopy support or a separate sign and noted the sign’s scale relative to surrounding buildings and visibility from I‑275/US‑96. Commissioners also asked about LED lighting; the architect/petitioner representative John Giambria said the intent is indirect recessed lighting (a “halo” or wash) rather than exposed diode bands or color-changing displays.

The commission’s approving resolution (moved by Commissioner Long, supported by Commissioner Ventura) included standard conditions (plan adherence, building permit submission timing, parking stripe dimensions), prohibitions on promotional flags and outdoor storage, a requirement that the parking lot and access be repaired and restriped as needed, and a restriction that no visible LED light band or exposed neon be permitted. Commissioners amended the motion to clarify that the planning and inspection departments would review and approve any indirect lighting details and that color-changing illumination would be prohibited; they also added the parking‑lot repair requirement. The motion passed by roll call; the commission will forward a recommending approval to city council.

Signage that exceeds the sign ordinance will require separate review by the Zoning Board of Appeals. The record includes engineering, fire, inspection and treasury memoranda; the treasurer’s office noted unpaid water/sewer and tax charges during review but records in the meeting show receipts for payment.